Pogo device

ABSTRACT

A more stable pogo stick device, which may or may not be steerable, employs multiple spring legs, at least one of which can have an alterable spring rate. To steer in a direction, the alterable spring rate is employed, whereupon the pogo will move in the direction of the softer spring. Further, a pogo stick with enhanced stability and safety is provided by employing multiple, vertical springing legs. A pogo with enhanced stability and widened foot platform provides the ability for a single rider to perform tricks and/or to allow multiple riders to jump together at the same time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to pogo sticks, and more particularly to asteerable pogo stick device with improved stability and to a pogo stickdevice that has greater stability and allows.

[0002] Pogo sticks have been popular on and off over the years. However,several things may have slowed the rate of use of pogo sticks. First, ittakes some practice to be skillful enough to ride for more than a shortperiod. The user must have good balance skills to successfully mount andride the device. Further, it can be difficult to control the directionof travel. Still further, the narrow foot supports on a typical pogostick require that the user wear shoes with sturdy soles. Barefoot useor use while wearing sandals or flip flop type footwear can be painful,as the users entire weight is supported in the arch of the foot. Longperiods of use, even with sturdy shoes, can be tiresome to the bottom ofthe foot. Finally, traditional pogos are limited to one rider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the invention, a steerable pogo stick isprovided. The pogo stick includes at least one rebounding member forwhich the rebound rate may be varied by the user, to enable steering ofthe pogo device.

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved pogo stick that is steerable.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved pogo stick that provides a stable configuration.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a pogostick that is not unduly painful to the user's foot.

[0007] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide animproved steerable pogo stick adapted for easy use even by less skilledriders.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide astable large platform pogo stick adapted for use by two or more ridersat the same time.

[0009] The subject matter of the present invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of thisspecification. However, both the organization and method of operation,together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken in connectionwith accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer tolike elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steerable pogo stick accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1illustrating the configuration of the “steerable” leg of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1illustrating the configuration of the “non-steerable” leg of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the steerableleg, illustrating operational aspects thereof;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a diagram of a pneumatic system in accordance with apogo using pneumatic springs; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a multiple rider pogo according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The system according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a pogo stick having three leg members which areposition a distance away from the center of the pogo stick. One of thelegs has adjustable spring rate to provide steerability to the pogostick.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view of a steerablepogo stick device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, thedevice comprises a base region 12 having 3 base arms 14, 16 and 18extending radially outwardly therefrom. The three base arms are suitablyevenly spaced, any two adjacent arms being at an angle a apart, suitably120 degrees. Arm 14 is denoted the front arm in the embodiment of FIG.1, and carries an upwardly extending steerable leg 20 near the end ofthe arm distal from the center of the device. The other two arms 16 and18 carry upwardly extending non-steerable legs 22, 22′ near therespective ends of the arms distal from the center of the device.

[0018] Mounted to the top of the base region 12 is a foot plate 24positioned over the central portion of the base and extending somewhatmore out the front arm than out the other two arms. A handle bar 28 isattached to a base shaft member 26, the base shaft member extendingupwardly from the base at a position slightly forward of the center ofthe base along the front arm 14. The foot plate is laterally centeredrelative to the base shaft member.

[0019] The handle bar 28 may carry an actuable release handle 30 thereonand may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis 32 as illustrated. Therelease handle 30 or the rotational portion of the handle bar isoperatively associated with a release member 34 to provide steeringcapability as described hereinbelow.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, a sectional view taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1 illustrating the configuration of the “steerable” leg 20, the legcomprise a hollow leg tube 36, the top being closed by an upper capmember 34. An upper elongate spring 38 is positioned in the top end ofthe leg tube interior around a spring retention shaft 40. A latch memberhousing 42 carries components therewithin that engage a piston 44 asdescribed in FIG. 4, the upper end of piston 44 being engaged by thebottom of spring 38.

[0021] A spacer 46 in the piston is provided and is engaged at itsbottom end by a middle spring 48, the opposite end of the middle springresting on upper shaft bushing 50. Bushing 50 receives leg shaft 52through the center thereof. The bottom of bushing 50 is engaged by lowerspring member 54, the opposing end of the spring 54 contacts the top oflower guide bushing 56 which extends out of the bottom of the leg tube36. Leg shaft 52 extends beyond the leg tube, and carries an exteriorspring 57 therearound. The bottom of the leg shaft attaches to a footmember 58, which includes elastomeric or rubber member 60 on the bottomthereof. A flange 55 is provided on the exterior of the leg tube, at aposition corresponding to almost the midpoint of the spring 54, toenable mounting of the leg to the arm 14.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1illustrating the configuration of the “non-steerable” leg of FIG. 1. Itwill be noted that the configuration of the non-steerable legcorresponds to the configuration of the steerable leg, without the upperspring 38, the retention shaft 40 and the latch member housing 42 andits components. Accordingly, the description of the correspondinglynumbered items is as with those items in FIG. 2. However, for example,leg tube 36′ is shorter than leg tube 36, since it does not carry anupper spring 38 therewithin.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, an enlarged partial perspective view ofthe steerable leg, illustrating operational aspects thereof, the piston44 has a circumferential groove 62 defined near the upper end thereof.Latch member housing 42 has defined therewithin a pivotally mountedengaging member 64 that includes an end pin 66 cooperatively engageswith the groove 62 of the piston. The engaging member 64 is connected toa lever 70 which pivots on pivot pin 72. A biasing member such as spring68 urges the engaging member in the direction of arrow 76. The end oflever 70 distal from the pivot point is connected to an extension spring63 which allows the cable to be extended even when load on the latch 66prevents release, which is attached to a first end of a release cable78, the cable extending down and eventually feeding back up to the areaof handle bar 28, suitably operatively connecting to release handle 30.

[0024] In operation, a user climbs onto the device, placing the left andright feet onto the foot plate 24, suitably with the base shaft member26 positioned to be between the two feet. The front of the user's footis to be pointed towards the front leg 20. As the user jumps up anddown, the springs in the legs will operate to provide the up and downbouncing action that is normally associated with a pogo stick. Thisbouncing action is accomplished by springs 48, 54 and 57 of the frontleg and springs 48′, 54′ and 57′ of the rear legs. Spring 38 is notoperating at this point, as piston 44 will not move, resulting from theengagement between the circumferential groove 62 of the piston with pin66 of engagement member 64.

[0025] If the user wishes to move the pogo in a forward direction, byoperating the release handle 30, cable 78 is pulled, which results inthe downward movement of the leftmost end of lever 70 in the view ofFIG. 4. The movement of the lever pivots end pin 66 of engaging member64 out of its engagement with circumferential groove 62, which freespiston 44 to move within the leg tube. Now, on a downward bounce of thepogo device, spring 38 becomes part of the overall spring system in thefront leg, and springs 38, 48, 54 and 57 are all compressible on thedown stroke. This addition of the extra spring makes a much softeraction for the front leg, and allows the pogo device to cant in thedirection of the forward leg, which will result in a forward motion ofthe pogo device.

[0026] When the user lets go of the release handle, spring 68 will urgethe engagement arm in the direction of arrow 76 of FIG. 4. Theengagement arm will then move back toward the piston, and the pin 66will reengage with the circumferential groove 62 in the piston, therebyagain removing spring 38 from the system of springs. If at the time theuser lets go of the release handle, pin 66 is not aligned with thegroove 62, the pin will merely slide along the wider portion of thepiston as the piston moves within the leg, until such time as thealignment occurs.

[0027] In another embodiment, all three legs are steerable legs. To moveforward, the front leg is actuated to create a lower spring rate andcant the pogo in that direction. To move left, the front leg and leftleg are simultaneously actuated to cause the pogo to cant forward andleft. To move right, the forward and right pogo are actuated. In oneapproach for actuating steering of forward, left, or right, thehandlebar can twist for forward and cant left to go left and cant rightto go right. These actions cause the appropriate cables to actuate incombinations to produce the desired direction.

[0028] While the illustrated preferred embodiment employs coil springsin the legs, an alternate embodiment uses pneumatic action legs. In thepneumatic embodiment, instead of use of an additional spring with areleasable piston to engage and disengage the spring, an additionalpneumatic reservoir chamber is provided. Then, on actuation of thecontrol by the user, the additional chamber is included in the system,for example by opening a valve, which “softens” the compression of thefront leg, so as to provide the desired steering effect. In FIG. 5,which is a diagram of a pneumatic system applicable to the presentdevice, a two-way valve 90 is provided between an air cylinder leg 92,and an accumulator 94. When two-way valve 90 is actuated, it allows theleg air cylinder 92 volume to be increased to include the accumulator 94volume. This creates the desired softening to cause the pogo to move inthe direction of the softened leg. A check valve 96 is provided in thecircuit between the accumulator and air cylinder leg to allow theaccumulator pressure to normalize to the system pressure. Apressurization valve 98, suitably a Shraeder type valve, enables thepressure of the overall system to be set by addition or release of airpressure to the pneumatic circuit. Thus, by increasing the pressure, astiffer spring is provided, or by reducing the pressure, a more softspring pogo is provided.

[0029] The foot plate 24 provides a wide and comfortable platform onwhich to stand, which allows long periods of use without foot discomfortthat would occur with the narrow foot rests of the prior art.

[0030] A multiple rider embodiment of the device is also providable inaccordance with the invention. In the multiple rider configuration,illustrated in FIG. 6, a rider platform and handle are provided whichenable plural riders to position themselves about the pogo. In thepreferred embodiment, the handle 100 is a circular handle member, andfoot plate 24′ is configured wider with foot receiving positions atmultiple radially space locations about the device, to allow more thanone user to ride and operate the device from various positions.

[0031] Also shown in FIG. 6 is an optional large foot 104 which may beadded or removed. The large foot is suitably convex on the bottomthereof. In a particular example, the foot may have a height ofconvexity of up to 2 inches. The large foot provides a wider area ofcontact with the ground, to enable, for example, use of the deviceindoors without damage to flooring as might otherwise occur with asmaller cross section foot. Further, a bumper member 106 may be providedat the outer ends of 14, 16 and 18 (one such bumper being shown in FIG.6) safety and to reduce damage to stationary objects should the pogodevice collide with any object while in use. In a particular example,the foot may be between 1 and 12 inches in diameter, for example.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the base shaft member 26 includes aflexing portion 102 at the base thereof, for example, an elastomericportion, to provide some flexing to the handle to flex relative to thebase. This flexing makes the handle able to flex away in the case that arider unintentionally collides with the handle.

[0033] Another feature provided by the configuration of the pogo stickin accordance with the invention is that the legs may be moved inwardlyour outwardly along the arms 14, 16 and 18 relative to the center of thepogo device, as indicated by arrows 80, 80′ and 80″ in FIG. 1.Therefore, as a user becomes more experienced at balancing, the overallfootprint may be narrowed (or conversely, may be widened) to change thedynamics of the pogo device.

[0034] An alternate embodiment of the steering mechanism employstwisting of the handle (or a portion thereof) about axis 32 as shown inFIG. 1. In this configuration, rather then release handle 30 beingpresent, the cable 78 is cooperatively attached to the rotationalportion of the handle so as to actuate the cable to provide the desiredresult of allowing an additional spring or pneumatic member to beoperable.

[0035] While the illustrated embodiment provides one leg with analterable spring rate, a further embodiment enables all 3 legs (in a 3leg device) to have the alterable spring rate. This alternate embodimentemploys an additional mechanism such that the additional spring rate ofthe other legs may be engaged or disengaged. For example, the forwardleg may be operated by the lever 30 or twist/rotation action of thehandle, for forward motion, while left or right cant will provide leftand right cant of the handle results in actuation of the other legs tosteer left or right.

[0036] The three legged configuration provides a stable base, making iteasy to operate the pogo stick. Unlike with a traditional pogo stickthat has a single contact point with the ground, it is not necessary tolearn to balance the pogo as much with the three leg configuration. Itis further an advantage to have legs which compress vertically ratherthan radially, as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,328,028. With radial movement,there is the need for the leg to traverse the jumping surface laterally,which is of varying friction and will cause the pogo to unpredictablymove laterally causing a balance problem.

[0037] While three legs are preferred, of course, other numbers of legsmay be employed, if desired, with one or more providing steeringfeatures. A minimal system simply for improved stability would have twolegs. The optimum number of legs for improved stability is three legswhich provides stability in the X and Y directions. For a steerablepogo, a minimal configuration is three legs with the front leg withactuation to provide reduced spring rate. The configuration allows therider to cant forward and, using his body, also go left and right. Forsteering left, right, and forward without using shifting the riderscenter of gravity, all three legs have actuation for reduced spring rateto cant the rider in the direction of reduced spring rate.

[0038] In the mechanical spring version, by changing one or more of thesprings in the legs, the device can be modified to accommodate users ofdifferent weights. Additionally, the springs may be mechanicallypreloaded to allow adjustment of the spring rate to allow riders ofvarying weight.

[0039] A still further embodiment employs a boost mechanism, whethermechanical or pneumatic, to preload a spring (if mechanical) or “pumpup” a pneumatic cylinder. Then on actuation of a release control by therider, a vertical jumping “boost” is provided, thereby enhancing thevertical jumping.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the base shaft member 26 issubstantially rigid, and is centrally positioned. The vertical rigidityof the shaft enables a rider to push down or pull up on the shaft.Because it is vertically constrained, a rider can apply torque and twistthe device when jumping to do, for example, 180 degree or 360 degreetwists or spins, which would not be possible with prior art devices.

[0041] The legs have independent suspension relative to one another andtheir spring operation is independent of one another, which enables therider to jump in any direction. In the case of a particular threeindependent springing legs embodiment, each leg is suitably constrainedto spring vertically; the springs are provided with lateral stability.The three legs thus provide a stable platform. By having legs with onedegree of freedom, the rider is able to directionally control thedevice. In accordance with the prior art, such control is difficult,because prior art devices have multiple degrees of freedom. In use arider can, for example, land on one leg and do tricks.

[0042] In a two legged embodiment, adapted for a single rider, the twolegs have corresponding independent suspension.

[0043] Thus, a stable and steerable pogo stick device is provided, whichis more readily usable, without requiring learning of balance andcontrol required for a standard type pogo stick. The large footprintprovides stability, while the wide foot rest enables use in comfortablefoot ware or even bare foot, without foot discomfort.

[0044] While plural embodiments of the present invention has been shownand described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications may be made without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are thereforeintended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A steerable pogo device comprising: a first leghaving a first substantially fixed spring rate; and a second leg havinga variable spring rate for enabling steering.
 2. A pogo devicecomprising: at least two independent suspension legs, wherein said legsare substantially vertical in orientation to provide for enhancedstability.
 3. The pogo device according to claim 2, wherein the numberof legs is 3, to provide for optimum X and Y stability.
 4. The pogodevice according to claim 2, wherein one of said legs is denoted aforward leg, wherein said forward leg has a variable spring rate forassisted steering in the forward direction.
 5. The pogo device accordingto claim 4, wherein the number of legs is
 3. 6. The pogo deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein said legs other than said forward leg havea variable spring rate for enabling steering left, right, in addition tothe steering in the forward direction provided by said front leg.
 7. Apogo with a boost mechanism, mechanical or pneumatic, to either preloada spring or pump up a cylinder to allow the rider to actuate it aftercharging for a “boost” in vertical jumping.
 8. The device in accordancewith claim 1, further comprising interchangable convex feet of largediameter for providing further stability and to enable use withoutabusing the floor.
 9. The device in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising interchangeable springs of varying spring rate.
 10. Thedevice in accordance with claim 1, further comprising adjustable preloadof springs to accommodate different rider weights.
 11. The device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the spacing width between ones of saidlegs is adjustable to vary the amount of stability enhancement andamount of steering assistance generated.
 12. The device in accordancewith claim 1, comprising a perimeter bumper for safety and to reducedamage to stationary objects.
 13. The device in accordance with claim 1,further comprising a large footpad for the rider's feet for greatercomfort and safety as well as permitting different rider positions fordoing tricks.
 14. The device in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising a handle bar adapted for gripping by plural riders.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 14, wherein said handle bar is a substantiallycircular handlebar.
 16. The device according to claim 14, furthercomprising a footpad to allow multiple riders to face each other andjump together.
 17. The device according to claim 16, wherein saidfootpad is a substantially circular footpad.
 18. The device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said variable spring rate is activatedby twisting an activation member.
 19. The device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said variable spring rate is activated by turning anactivation member.
 20. The device in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid variable spring rate is activated by activating a lever member. 21.The device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said feet aresubstantially larger in diameter than the diameter of the spring supportmember.
 22. The device in accordance with claim 2, comprising asubstantially rigid central pole member.
 23. The device in accordancewith claim 2, wherein said legs comprises spring action legs.
 24. Thedevice in accordance with claim 23, wherein said legs are independent intheir spring action relative one another.
 25. The device in accordancewith claim 23, wherein said legs are constrained to spring substantiallyin one axis.